« Back to the Newswire EADS/224th ADG Recognize Annual Award Winners

The Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) and the New York Air National Guard's 224th Air Defense Group have named their annual award winners for 2018.

"The EADS' air defense mission requires engaged and consistent excellence from all of our members," said Col. Emil Filkorn, EADS Commander. "This year's winners distinguished themselves by going above and beyond our high standards. I congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishments and thank them for their efforts."

The 224th Air Defense Group is composed of the 224th Air Defense Squadron and 224th Support Squadron, located in Rome, N.Y., and Detachment 1 and Detachment 2 that serve in the Washington, D.C. area. The 224th ADG provides the forces to conduct the Eastern Air Defense Sector's mission.

Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Sector is responsible for the air defense of the eastern U.S.
This year, EADS recognized outstanding performers in seven categories: company grade officer (junior officers below the rank of major), senior noncommissioned officer, noncommissioned officer, junior enlisted airman, honor guard program manager, and civilians in two categories.

Award recipients were:

Capt. Andrew Conklin, Fairfax Station, Va., Outstanding Company Grade Officer. The weapons and tactics chief at EADS Detachment 1 in Washington, D.C., Conklin authored a 32-page crew tactical coordination checklist and led a critical re-write of a NORAD operational document. Other accomplishments included integrating U.S. Coast Guard personnel into operations and successfully leading Det 1's participation in than a dozen high-level exercises.

Master Sgt. Myles Macey, Utica, Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer. A cyber mission systems noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge (NCOIC) at the 224th Support Squadron, Macey oversaw a major systems upgrade and supervised the installation of more than 30 new servers. He also successfully led the unit's first-ever information assurance validation, which required the inspection of nearly 500 security controls.

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Silva, Yorkville, Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer. The NCOIC of exercises and training at the 224th Air Defense Squadron, Silva played a key role in planning Sector support for more than 20 Presidential flights. Silva organized the unit's first continuation training plan and volunteered for more than 40 extra assignments.

Senior Airman Amberly Sherman, Rome, Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman. A tracking technician at the 224th Air Defense Squadron, Sherman was primary tracker during the State of the Union address, helped coordinate 19 Presidential movements and volunteered for 12 additional assignments. Selected to attend a 1st Air Force leadership course, she participated in a ceremonial wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Steve Barry, Baldwinsville, Outstanding Civilian (Category III). An information technology specialist with the 224th Support Squadron, Barry implemented an immersive cyber training program for the unit's computer technicians. Other achievements included leading an upgrade of the unit's Battle Control System, analyzing 14 technical manuals for Air Combat Command, and organizing and conducting a three-week training course for cyber Airmen.